What to Expect from Today's Nintendo Direct

We could see some Luigi's Mansion 2, and maybe even some new Kirby stuff.

At 11 p.m. EST, Japan will host another Nintendo Direct event. We'll be covering it as it happens. Nintendo of America will be translating the news from it for North American audiences at around 11:30 p.m. EST. Europe is getting their own Nintendo Direct at 7 a.m. EST.

So what will happen at this event? Like most of the other Nintendo Directs, it will likely be focused on the next few months. My guess is that we'll see a focus on games coming out between now and July.

I can almost guarantee that Mario Tennis Open, Project Zero 2: Wii Edition (the Fatal Frame 2 remake), and Pokémon Black and White 2 will make appearances. All three games are scheduled for Japan release in the next few months. This event will likely give us confirmation of whether or not Project Zero 2 will make the leap to North America. Currently, we know it's confirmed for release in Europe and Japan in June. The release date of Pokémon Black and White in Europe and North America might be clearer as well.

Other safe bets include some sort of mention of Fire Emblem DLC, possibly referencing Theatrhythm, too. Masahiro Sakurai also teased a Kid Icarus: Uprising announcement on Nintendo Direct. Who knows what that could be.

Now, for the things I won't guarantee.

Luigi's Mansion 2 could very easily get some screentime. Nintendo usually abides by the rule of "One playable E3, and then release it before the next E3." With Luigi's Mansion 2, it's not quite making that. However, I think it's pretty damn likely that Luigi's Mansion 2 could be coming out in June worldwide. If it misses that date, then I think it's safe to say that Miyamoto is kicking the crap out of Next Level Games.

The only other Nintendo-made 3DS retail game that could get brought up is Animal Crossing, but I think that Luigi's Mansion 2 will be up to the plate first. Animal Crossing will probably get an E3 blowout for an August release.

Then there's that giant Kirby that Iwata is holding in the Japanese SwapNote that went out. What could that mean? More Kirby? Maybe? If I were a betting man, I'd put some money down on a Kirby eShop game made by HAL Labs.

Talkback

I would not be surprised if Kid Icarus will be the first Nintendo DLC game

I also would say that Kirby will likely get a grand 3DS game before anything eShop related.

PS. I'm pretty sure that it's safe to say that Luigi's Mansion comes out before Animal Crossing which comes out before Paper Mario. Interestingly, that order also might represent their quality from least to best.

I would not be surprised if Kid Icarus will be the first Nintendo DLC game

That'd be impossible. Fire Emblem and that photo app already have DLC in Japan.

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I also would say that Kirby will likely get a grand 3DS game before anything eShop related.

I sort of agree with you, but we just had two Kirby games out last year. I don't think we'd get a grand 3DS Kirby game now.

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PS. I'm pretty sure that it's safe to say that Luigi's Mansion comes out before Animal Crossing which comes out before Paper Mario. Interestingly, that order also might represent their quality from least to best.

While I'll disagree with the last sentiment (I've never been a big AC guy), I agree with that assessment. I still think there is a chance Luigi's Mansion 2 might be delayed for quality issues and AC might be bumped up.

I wish Nintendo launched these titles, and we could get a break from awesome announcements so I could buy them all and save up some money for the WiiU. I think I won't be getting it on launch day :( so sad.What will happen to HAL Labs BTW, since SORA allready exists.

HAL will continue making Kirby games like the two they released just last year. Sora is going to be making Smash Bros 3DS and Wii U for the next 3-4 years. Nothing stopping both studio's from existing since they're working on two different series.

Man, I know it's utterly dreaming about the impossible, but I was hoping they'd use this Nintendo direct to talk, even if briefly, about the recently confirmed Pikmin 3 and Mario Wii U projects they're going to be bringing to E3.